Rockets trade Lowry to Raptors in hopes of gaining high pick for trade bait

Last season's untouchable piece, guard Kyle Lowry, turned into the offseason's means to acquire a high draft pick from the Raptors.

Last season's untouchable piece, guard Kyle Lowry, turned into the offseason's means to acquire a high draft pick from the Raptors.

Photo: Melissa Phillip

Image 2 of 2

FILE - This Feb. 19, 2012 file photo shows New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, in New York. in New York. Lin and three other players will maintain valuable rights in free agency after an arbitrator's ruling. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) less

FILE - This Feb. 19, 2012 file photo shows New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, in New York. in New York. Lin and three other players will ... more

Photo: Seth Wenig

Rockets trade Lowry to Raptors in hopes of gaining high pick for trade bait

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

After three seasons trapped in the middle of the NBA pack, the Rockets pulled a stunning move Thursday to attempt an escape, even if it means they might have to tunnel out.

The Rockets traded point guard Kyle Lowry, who began last season as their most untouchable piece, to the Toronto Raptors to get a first-round pick, a person with knowledge of the deal said. They structured the deal to guarantee they will get a lottery pick unless the Raptors make the playoffs each of the next six seasons, according to the individual familiar with the details of the trade.

The Rockets will also get 6-7 veteran forward Gary Forbes, 27, in the trade when it can become official Wednesday.

With Goran Dragic turning down the Rockets' final offer Monday and accepting a four-year deal to join the Suns on Wednesday, the Rockets lost both point guards from last season. Thursday, they reached agreement with Jeremy Lin, 23, on a four-year, $28.8 million offer sheet, with the final season, worth $9.3 million, at the team's option. But they expect the New York Knicks to match the contract to keep Lin.

More Information

Changing of the guard?

The Rockets traded point guard Kyle Lowry to the Raptors for a future first-round pick and signed Jeremy Lin to an offer sheet. If the Knicks don't match the offer, Lin will be back as Rockets starter. How the two compared this past season:

Jeremy Lin

Age 23

Height 6-3

Weight 200

Games 35

Minutes per game 26.9

FG pct. 44.6

3-pt pct. 32.0

Rebounds 3.1

Assists 6.2

Turnovers 3.6

Points 14.6

Kyle Lowry

Age 26

Height 6-0

Weight 205

Games 47

Minutes per game 32.1

FG pct. 40.9

3-pt pct. 37.4

Rebounds 4.5

Assists 6.6

Turnovers 2.8

Points 14.3

The Rockets were willing to face that likelihood and make the tough choices on Dragic and Lowry for the same reasons. In both cases, they gave up players who were keys to any success they had last season to try to better position themselves to rebuild, according to a person familiar with their thinking.

Unable to work a deal for a star-quality player or premium draft pick while offering Lowry, the Rockets came to believe they are more likely to get that kind of trade if offering a top pick.

The Rockets would get the Raptors' pick if it falls between four and 14 next season. If it doesn't, they would get it if it's between three and 14 the following two seasons. If they still have not gotten the pick, the Rockets would get it if it is between the second and 14th picks. If the Raptors make the playoffs for the next five seasons, the Rockets would get their pick the following season.

With Dragic, the Rockets drew the line on their offer and Dragic's demands of a fourth-season player option also with an eye on rebuilding. The Rockets wanted the fourth season of Dragic's contract to be with a team option and then offered the compromise of making it partially guaranteed in the fourth season.

The Rockets made their decision to withdraw their qualifying offer to 6-5 guard-forward Courtney Lee, 26, for largely the same reasons.

Not only would Lee's contract make them unable to make offers to Bulls center Omer Asik and Lin if Lee accepted it, they would not be able to trade him next season.

That would make him neither a future star nor a player who could get one.

Translator

To read this article in one of Houston's most-spoken languages, click on the button below.

With the moves, the Rockets went from a plan to build around a center and point guard they considered upper echelon - Pau Gasol and Lowry - to a roster that, unless they land Asik and Lin, is virtually devoid of a center or a point guard.

The Rockets know there's a good chance the Knicks will match Lin's offer sheet. They are more hopeful the Bulls will not match Asik's.

For now, the only Rockets point guards are Courtney Fortson, an NBA Development League player signed to a non-guaranteed contract last season; Shaun Livingston, who was included in the trade last week with the Milwaukee Bucks; and Scott Machado, who was undrafted but signed to the summer league team.

But they believe they have improved their chances at their long-sought deal for something greater.